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Legion falls in Classic opener

Edina held the Bemidji American Legion to four hits Friday night to take its pool opener at the Gopher Classic 4-1.

Bemidji went against the St. Louis Jonny Macs and West St. Paul in late Saturday games and will battle Kenosha, Wis. and Chaska today.

The 48-team tournament is divided into eight six-team pools with the eight winners advancing to Monday's bracket play.

Edina and Kenosha were double winners Friday, Edina besting Chaska 1-0 on a no hitter while Kenosha stopped the Jonny Macs and West St. Paul, both by10-2 margins.

The St. Louis team beat Chaska 4-3.

Bemidji, perhaps the youngest team in the tournament, was further handicapped by the absence of its 4-5 batters.

Simon Anderson joined other members of the Lions All-Star Series for a banquet and as guests at the Twins-Whitesox game Friday night. He rejoined the Legion for Saturday's play.

Matt Hietala was out of town on a church trip.

Jeremiah Graves limited Edina to seven hits, four of them doubles. He fanned three and walked none.

Alex Lampert worked the first five for Edina allowing one run and three hits while fanning four and walking two. Chris Eckberg closed.

Edina scored in the second when Johnny Gideon doubled, took third on Sam Wickoff's single and scored on a ground out.

Bemidji tied it in the fifth when Paul Voss singled and Billy Statton beat out a bunt. They moved up on Luke Burns' sacrifice but pinch runner Derek Lofgren was nailed at the plate on Nick Lee's squeeze bunt attempt. Statton got to second on that play and scored on Graves' single.

Edina went ahead in the last of the frame when Joe Kott reached on an error, was forced at second by Eckberg who scored on Andrew Fink's double.

Two more scored in the sixth when David Newman doubled, moved to third on Gideon's fly to deep right and scored on Wikoff's double. Andrew Kalina cashed Wikoff with a single.

Newman and Wikoff had two hits for Edina. Bemidji dropped to12-13 on the season.